Costa Blanca

FGV participates in a pilot experience with laser technology to monitor the flow of travellers

Ferrocarrils de la Generalitat Valenciana (FGV) is taking part in a pilot project at the Luceros TRAM station in Alicante. This project uses LiDAR laser technology to track the movement of people in real time and without identifying anyone.

The pilot test, funded by European resources and the first of its kind in Spain’s train industry, is being carried out by Outsight, a top company in 3D perception technology, in partnership with SICE, a well-known technology integrator.

The project uses a new kind of Artificial Intelligence in 3D along with LiDAR devices at the station to gather important data. LiDAR technology uses lasers to measure distances, make 3D maps, and spot movement without identifying people.

Outsight’s program allows for the collection of information about how many people are in the station and where they move, all done anonymously. This helps create a real-time 3D computer model of the station. This allows FGV to see right away where the most people are and how long they are waiting. This helps them understand busy times and plan their resources better.

For example, the public company can track how many people are at the station at any time. They can see how many passengers enter through each entrance, how many use each turnstile, how many get on and off specific stairs, the average waiting time at vending machines, the number of people in queue at the ticket office and the average waiting time there, among other things.

This information helps FGV understand how resources are used, the busiest and quietest times of day, and the usage rates of their services. This system tracks how many passengers come in and out, giving a clear look at their behaviour at various times during the day. Occupancy density is also analysed to detect bottlenecks and suggest improvements that optimise the circulation of users.

The pilot test will run for three to four months, during which we will assess its effect on managing passengers and create thorough reports for FGV. This information will help find ways to improve and look for new partnerships to increase the use of this technology in other smart systems.

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There will be fewer terraces, stricter opening hours, and no more 24-hour opening hours in the middle of Alicante at night.

This new Acoustically Saturated Zone (ZAS) will soon be in effect in Alicante. It will change the city’s nightlife, leisure activities, and traditions. It was just passed by the city council. This measure changes the times that bars, restaurants, pubs, and clubs close in some parts of the Old Town and the Centre, like Calle Castaños. It also gets rid of the well-known shops and bars that are open 24 hours a day.

Additionally, as part of the ZAS Master Plan, the Alicante local police will carry out a special surveillance operation on behalf of the Department of Security “to ensure compliance with closing times and the removal of terraces or tables and the dissolution of crowds of people in the vicinity of the premises once they are closed,” as agreed upon.

These rules say that bars, pubs, and restaurants in the city heart will have to close at midnight on Fridays, Saturdays, and the night before holidays in the Old Town and between Portal de Elche and Calle Castaños. For their part, discos will close at 3am. From Sunday to Monday, bars will close 30 minutes earlier, at 1:30am, and discos will close at 1am.

On Bonfire Night and holidays like Christmas Eve, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day, and Twelfth Night, these hours will not be in effect. The hours of operation on these dates will be set by a city decree. During the summer, the door will be opened a bit more. In half an hour, tables and chairs can be set up in the neighbourhood public space from 8 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., but all furniture on the terrace or table must be taken down at 12:30 a.m.

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Alicante Crime: Fewer cases but more Violence

With a 0.7% decrease in recorded offences over the previous year, crime in the province of Alicante had a minor overall dip in 2024. However, a recent Ministry of the Interior report found that robberies, sexual offences, and violent crimes have all climbed.

Increase in Violent Crimes and Murders

The 81.8% increase in homicides and murders, which went from 11 in 2023 to 20 in 2024, is the most concerning number. On the other hand, homicide attempts decreased by 19.7%. In the meantime, there were 1,413 recorded occurrences of attacks and rioting, a 20.1% rise.

Additionally, sexual offences increased by 5.1%, with 1,008 cases reported. Other sexual crimes rose 6.5% to 786 instances, whereas penetration-related rape cases (222) decreased by a small 0.5%. This increase, according to the Ministry, is partly due to victims’ increasing awareness and willingness to disclose crimes.

An increase in drug crimes and robberies

Alicante province witnessed a 10.5% increase in robberies involving violence and intimidation, with 2,207 instances, while the country’s robbery rates decreased. The enhanced efforts by law enforcement against drug trafficking networks are reflected in the 3.6% increase in drug-related crimes, which reached 1,145 reported instances.

Trends in Cybercrime and Fraud

Overall, cybercrime decreased by 0.1%, remaining largely unchanged. However, following a significant spike in 2023, computer fraud incidents decreased by 1.9%. Other cybercrimes increased from 2,121 to 2,431 cases, a 14.6% increase.

Reduced Home Theft and Burglaries

At 5,699, there was a significant drop in residential burglaries, which was 9.2% lower than in 2023. With 26,416 recorded occurrences, thefts—one of the most frequent crimes affecting locals—also decreased by 2.2%.

Crevillent and Petrer at opposite ends are crime hotspots.

Crevillent saw the largest increase in crime among the municipalities, with 1,057 reported offences, or a 15.6% increase. Petrer, on the other hand, experienced the biggest drop in crime, with 851 recorded cases—a 21.9% drop.

Alcoy (5.9%), Aspe (7%), Torrevieja (5.4%), Orihuela (0.3%), and Elche (1.4%) are some places where crime has increased. In the meantime, crime decreased in El Campello (-20.8%), Dénia (-5.2%), Altea (-13%), and Benidorm (-3%).

The increase in violent crimes and robberies is a major worry despite the general decline in crime, underscoring the necessity of ongoing watchfulness and law enforcement initiatives throughout

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This weekend, 250 riders from around the world will be in Elche for the International BMX Open.

This weekend, Elche will be the site of the International Open BMX Racing. This is expected to be the best BMX competition ever, with some of the best riders in the world competing, including Malene Kejlstrup from Denmark, Ruben Gommers from Belgium, Thomas Maturano from Argentina, and Pablo García from Spain, who just won the Indoor de Tours.

The event is being put together by the BMX Alicante Race Team with help from the Unión Ciclista Ilicitana and with the City Council’s help. It will happen on February 15th and 16th at the BMX track at the Miguel Hernández University. The goal of this event, which has different races for kids, adults, and the best riders, is to get more people to play BMX in the city and help the local business and tourism.

People from Germany, the Czech Republic, Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Slovakia, Venezuela, Portugal, France, Italy, Poland, the Netherlands, Ecuador, and Finland, as well as different parts of Spain, have already stated that they will be running.

Over the two days, the event will have a variety of categories and challenges. On Saturday, it will be open from 9:00 am to 10:30 pm, and on Sunday, it will be open from 9:00 am to 16:00 pm. A food area, a Fan Zone, and a place for shops and vendors will also be there. Through entreticket.es, you can get tickets.